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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by morgan miller on August 12, 2010, at 22:36:09
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by Hombre on August 12, 2010, at 20:08:03
Hey Hombre,
Yes I'm taking the Planetary Herbals Schisandra Adrenal Complex. It does seem like a nice formula.
Thanks for informing me about what some of the other herbs in the complex are good for. I think it's a keeper.
Jarrow's Wellnes Optimizer is another nice formulation that I just bought and I'm pretty sure I've noticed an immediate positive mood boost, sense of well being, and smooth energy boost. I think this formula could be one in which the benefits may build over time, especially the immune boosting benefits. I really like the ingredients in it. Check it out.
So I guess you are feeling better these days. We are going to miss you here, Hombre. Take care, good luck, and check back in some time in the future.
Morgan
Posted by morgan miller on August 12, 2010, at 22:39:25
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by sigismund on August 12, 2010, at 21:38:02
Sigismund, Holy basil is not likely to aggravate insomnia, especially if taken in the morning and afternoon. Some do take holy basil at night to help with sleep. It can work as an adaptogen so it may help to calm when the body needs to rest. I love my Holy Basil. I love my Schisandra too!
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 23, 2010, at 15:33:18
In reply to Re: Schisandra » sigismund, posted by morgan miller on August 12, 2010, at 22:39:25
Hi Morgan! What's up? How is the schisandra working for you? Any positive benefits yet? If so, how does it make you feel?
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 13:35:07
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by Lao Tzu on August 23, 2010, at 15:33:18
Hey brotha!
So far so good on Schisandra. I decided to cut my dose in half to see what happens. I definitely have more energy and feel better. It's a very nice smooth and subtle effect.
I have also become somewhat obsessed with medicinal mushrooms. I have noticed a significant improvement in the way I feel after taking Cordyceps. I feel that I have more energy and can breath better. I also feel there has been a positive effect on mood, this may be a result of simply feeling better. I also added Reishi for it's calming effects. My next addition to my mushroom regimen will be Chaga for inflammation.
Check this video out with one of the leading experts in medicinal mushrooms:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/258
Also if you do a pubmed search you will find a slew of studies on these mushrooms and positive effects including cancer fighting properties.
I think you would be especially interested in Cordyceps for it's energy/stamina boosting effects and it's potential ability to fight and prevent lung cancer.
I have seen improvements lately, but I am still struggling in many ways. The muskuloskeletal issues combined with physiological issues are still making it very difficult for me to get back to living the way I was just a few years ago.
How are you? Hope all is well!
Morgan
Posted by sigismund on August 27, 2010, at 21:33:39
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 13:35:07
>I have noticed a significant improvement in the way I feel after taking Cordyceps. I feel that I have more energy and can breath better. I also feel there has been a positive effect on mood, this may be a result of simply feeling better.
Same here, except for the fact that it exacerbated my insomnia (which seems to require very little and anyway for all I know the cordyceps is innocent).
>I also added Reishi for it's calming effects. My next addition to my mushroom regimen will be Chaga for inflammation.
Reishi is said to be one of the few herbs which lowers the allergy threshold (I suppose you might say)by lowering IgE. You find it calming?
I've never heard of Chaga. Good stuff?
Posted by morgan miller on August 27, 2010, at 22:29:48
In reply to Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga » morgan miller, posted by sigismund on August 27, 2010, at 21:33:39
Don't know if I find Reishi calming. I'm taking so much crap, including lithium, it's really hard to tell right now. I'm taking it for general well being and overall health. I'm interested in Chaga mainly for it's potential ant-inflammatory actions, and hopefully other benefits-mainly strengthened immunity, which it appears most of the mushrooms do as a result of beta-glucans.
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2010, at 14:38:27
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 13:35:07
Hey Morgan! I'm fine. How are you doing? I've been off babble for a few days. Just didn't feel like it, I guess. Cordyceps? That's interesting. Might just try that one. I might try the Schisandra as well. I've been trying Ginkgo and Gotu Kola. I don't like either one of them. They make me feel worse. So I'm back on the Holy Basil. It does help me emotionally. I just didn't realize it until I stopped taking it. And it doesn't make my depression worse. I really have to be careful what I take. 9 times out of 10, herbs just don't work for me. Holy Basil is okay, though. I have the same problem with amino acids. They just don't help me at all. Psychosis is really difficult to treat. You become extremely sensitive to every supplement you take, and most times they don't work. But I'm glad you're feeling better. You really do give me some good ideas. I can't always rely on the internet for good ideas because frankly, I think they don't know what the hell they're talking about. Getting good ideas from friends is the best way, I think. Keep getting well. Have you gotten all your medical tests done yet? Any results yet?
See ya!
Lao
Posted by sigismund on August 31, 2010, at 20:49:46
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2010, at 14:38:27
>Holy Basil is okay, though
Do you find it stimulating?
No insomnia?
Posted by sigismund on August 31, 2010, at 20:51:01
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2010, at 14:38:27
It may be a coincidence, but I have been sleeping a little less badly since I started Schizandra.
Posted by morgan miller on August 31, 2010, at 22:07:18
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by sigismund on August 31, 2010, at 20:51:01
> It may be a coincidence, but I have been sleeping a little less badly since I started Schizandra.
It is an adaptogen. So maybe it is helping you during the day giving you more energy and keeping you alert, then at night calming you allowing your body to relax better. Do you have more energy on schizandra? If you do, it may be that you are having more productive days and that is translating to more restful sleep.
I do not think Holy Basil is at all stimulating. It can help the adrenals get going, but it mostly has a calming stabilizing effect. In the right doses, it can be a nice addition to your mood stabilizing and stress coping regimen.
Posted by morgan miller on August 31, 2010, at 22:18:26
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2010, at 14:38:27
Hey brotha how's it going?!
Good to hear a little holy basil still helps. I just added it back in to my regimen. I won't take it everyday, maybe 4 to 5 days a week when I think I really can benefit from it. Yeah, it is really difficult to figure out exactly what an herb is doing and if it is worth taking. Sometimes we have to go on and off it to come to the right conclusion.
I have gotten most tests back and with the exception of a little nerve damage, everything looks pretty good so far. I will be moving on from the neurologist to a physiatrist, rheumatologist, and lyme disease specialist. I need to make sure I cover all the bases. The neurologist is still waiting on some test results, and the people at radiology still need to evaluate my brain MRI. I really want to get one of those scans that shows brain activity. We will see if my father goes for that. A good friend thinks I should go to the Mayo Clinic if things continue and none of the other doctors have any answers.
I had a few very rough last few days. I don't know what is going on with me. It just hits me out of nowhere and I have to force myself to function normally. Who knows, maybe it all comes down to emotional issues, faulty brain chemistry, and the lack of efficacy with the medications I'm on.
Great to hear from you as always. We all need a break from babble every once in a while. How have you been feeling in general? Have you thought any more about cutting down on the cigarettes and starting exercising more? : )
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2010, at 10:00:12
In reply to Re: Schisandra » Lao Tzu, posted by sigismund on August 31, 2010, at 20:49:46
Yeah, I agree. Holy Basil is okay. I don't find it stimulating. I actually find it more on the sedating side, but not too sedating. I did actually think it might effect your sleep. That's something to watch out for if you take it later in the day or if you take a very high dosage. I stay at 400mg per day (1 capsule) and find it doesn't really affect my sleep that much. It's okay, though, like you said. It does help somewhat with anxiety, but I always felt kava was better in this regard.
Lao
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2010, at 20:31:46
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by morgan miller on August 31, 2010, at 22:18:26
Hey Morgan, I'm doing okay. Sorry to hear you've had some rough days. The SPECT scan can show you brain activity or underactivity. Dr. Amen uses that scan for all his patients. Perhaps you've heard of him. He's written some books and has a website and a clinic. I always wanted to get that scan done just so I'd know how my brain was functioning under medication, you know, to determine if there were areas of concern. I guess you can get it done, but it is not routine for doctors to order it. I guess only for very specific cases. I imagine it's expensive, and I don't know if insurance would cover it other than for very specific situations.
The Mayo Clinic is very renowned. I'm sure they would be able to help you there if, in fact, you needed to go. I'm sure you'll get some good answers to your problem somewhere along the line. It's really good that you are seeing a handful of specialists. At least they can help you rule out things and maybe point you in the right directions. I know my psychiatrist has helped me see the light many times. I just don't always do what he suggests, but I still know that his wisdom is usually the correct thing to do. I guess I could play around with supplements all day long and then he'd say I'm just beating around the bush, so to speak. However, I still say I have gained benefits from my vitamin regimen. I really believe that.Yeah, the Holy Basil is really a good herb for me I'm finding out. I can't put my finger on exactly why that is. I just tend to feel better emotionally while I'm taking it. Of course, all my other vitamins and minerals are essential, but the Holy Basil has been a nice addition. I thank you again for suggesting it.
Anyway, I hope you can get some concrete answers from all the tests you're doing, and I hope the doctors can steer you in the right direction.
I have decreased my cigarettes a tiny bit, which means not really. I am, however, going to get the chance to exercise a few times per week because my brother is going back to school and will be home a lot more. It means I'm going to get out on the tennis court probably at least 3 days a week. I'm looking forward to it. It's the only exercise that I get pumped up about. Hitting that little yellow, furry ball over the net hundreds of times. It's so repetitive, yet I love it. What can I say, I've become a more simple man as I get older.
Anyway, hang in there and as always, stay as well as you can. I know eventually you'll get some relief from your problems.
See Ya!
Lao
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2010, at 21:00:14
In reply to Re: Schisandra, posted by morgan miller on August 31, 2010, at 22:18:26
You know, the psychodynamic group therapy you mentioned in a previous post is intriguing to me. Don't know if I'd do it, but it is interesting. More and more, I am believing in the power of people to heal each other. I do notice that in many cases, I tend to feel better when I have a positive exchange with someone. I'm too much in my own head, and this leads to feeling depressed. It's a wonder how you can forget yourself when you're involved with others. I'm not saying it is a cure, but I definitely think there is a psychological aspect to feeling low that we may not be able to correct all by ourselves. We seem to need others even though we'd like to be alone. Fixing the biochemical imbalance with medicine and supplements is a must, but then after that, we should get with people. What do you think?
Oh, I heard something funny on the radio. Someone said, "I just heard that drinking red wine is good for you. Red wine, really? We should hear more things like that, Like Red wine in conjunction with a lap dance at a football game is good for you."
I just heard it and laughed. Laughter is good medicine.
Well, take care of yourself. Stay well.Lao
Posted by morgan miller on September 3, 2010, at 0:43:08
In reply to Re: Schisandra))Morgan, posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2010, at 21:00:14
>Someone said, "I just heard that drinking red wine is good for you. Red wine, really? We should hear more things like that, Like Red wine in conjunction with a lap dance at a football game is good for you."
Lol, that is hilarious.
>Fixing the biochemical imbalance with medicine and supplements is a must, but then after that, we should get with people. What do you think?
I think as we get functional on medication and suppmlements, we should be in therapy and group therapy, even if we have not reached full therapeutic benefit from medication/supplement treatment.
Hey have you ever heard of Lobelia? It's an indian herb that is smoked and can both reduce cravings for tabacco and can improve lung function. I'm just thinking maybe you can get a hold of some and roll your own lobelia cigarettes with good clean non toxic rolling papers. I think you can do lobelia in tincture and capsule form. I do think there are a few risks with lobelia use. But then again, I doubt they are any worse than smoking that poison the tobacco companies are feeding us.
Hope all is well!
Morgan
Posted by sigismund on September 7, 2010, at 20:11:37
In reply to Re: Schisandra))Morgan, posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2010, at 21:00:14
>What do you think?
This is my 2 bob's worth.......
Our emotional lives, especially where we respond strongly to people, involve an often repeated attempt to solve by symbolic means an early childhood dilemma, by which I mean the problem we faced as young children trying to find a way to feel OK about the situation we were in. Psychodynamic therapy isn't great at elucidating these attempts, but it is better at giving us an idea of what this situation originally was.
Love, the people we love, is the stage on which we try to achieve a symbolic restitution.That's how it's been for me, anyway.
Posted by morgan miller on September 7, 2010, at 21:50:21
In reply to Re: Schisandra))Morgan, posted by sigismund on September 7, 2010, at 20:11:37
>Psychodynamic therapy isn't great at elucidating these attempts, but it is better at giving us an idea of what this situation originally was.
I think this may be contingent on whether the ability of the therapist and the patient.
I totally agree with the love thing. Life is love, without it we are lost.
Morgan
Posted by morgan miller on September 7, 2010, at 22:00:50
In reply to Re: Schisandra))Morgan, posted by sigismund on September 7, 2010, at 20:11:37
Hey sigismund, how is it going with schisandra? What do you notice?
I think I notice an increase in energy and mental alertness. I'm also digging the fact that it is good for the liver, something many of us need if we have been taking medication for a long time.
Posted by morgan miller on September 7, 2010, at 22:03:53
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga » sigismund, posted by morgan miller on August 27, 2010, at 22:29:48
I am loving this combo! I just feel healthier and stronger since starting taking these mushrooms. Cordyceps gives me the most noticeable benefit-better mood, breathing easier, more energy, more stamina-any time I feel improvements in these areas I also feel less anxious and depressed. This is one of the reasons why exercise helped me so much over the years.
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 8, 2010, at 11:34:31
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga, posted by morgan miller on September 7, 2010, at 22:03:53
Hey Morgan! What's going on? Glad to hear the Cordyceps is working for you. I might give it a try myself. Thought about Shisandra, but I think I might just stick with the Holy Basil for now. Don't want to make things more complicated than they already are. I have noticed that the Holy Basil works better if I take a few days off every week. I think it is a great herb, but breaks are definitely warranted. What brand of Cordyceps are you using and what is the dosage, might I ask? Any noticeable benefit from Reishi as well? Are mushrooms really good for depression? I know Reishi is supposed to be good for the immune system.
How is everything going for you? I'm doing okay. Just trying to figure out where the herbs fit into my nutritional regimen. Are you still working? I've been on disability for 5 years. That's a long time for me not to work. It seems that ever since I started hearing voices, I've never been able to go back to work. I'm thinking I should listen to my psychiatrist and just try it anyway. We'll see.
Well, wish you continued success with the mushrooms. Stay well.
Lao
Posted by morgan miller on September 8, 2010, at 19:56:44
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga, posted by Lao Tzu on September 8, 2010, at 11:34:31
Hey Lao! I think getting a job might be a good thing. You just need to start preparing yourself mentally for it. Just remember, you can just start out with a very easy mindless part time job. I kind of see you doing well working on the computer. So, maybe you don't need mindless since it seems like you have quite an active and intelligent mind. Maybe a temp job to start??? I understand how scary it can be to go back to work for many reasons. Just give going back to work some thought, try to imagine yourself working and see how it feels. It may give you some anxiety, that is normal. Sometimes we need to face things that give us anxiety in order to overcome the fears we have associated with them. I'm sure you know this already : )
Yes, I am still working, and thinking about getting another job on top of this one. I'm only working 3 to 4 days a week right now, and 30 hours at the very most(usually only 21).
I think you might want to consider Schisandra since it not only can increase energy, mental and physical, but it also can improve liver health, which I think all of us on medications could use. Yeah, I agree that Holy Basil works best when there are small breaks taken from it.
Reishi's effects are not as noticeable as Cordyceps. I am hoping more for health benefits from Reishi, though I do expect to feel better from taking them. Ya know, if I were just taking Reishi by itself, without Cordyceps and Chaga, I may be able to better pinpoint any effect it may be having on my well being. The Chaga is there mostly for the potential anti-inflammatory benefits, and the immune boosting effects, which all of the mushrooms appear to have. I believe that mushrooms can have antidepressant effects in that they have the potential to make you FEEL better. For me, when I FEEL well, I feel much less depressed.
Great to hear from you as usual. Peace..
Morgan
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 9, 2010, at 11:08:10
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga » Lao Tzu, posted by morgan miller on September 8, 2010, at 19:56:44
Yes, you're absolutely right about the job thing. Face your anxiety, and maybe it will go extinct. I was just talking with my dad last night about his phobia of needles. It used to be very difficult for him. He couldn't watch the needle pierce his vein. However, at the time of his heart operation, he was given so many needles and IVs that he became used to it because frankly he couldn't say no. His phobia went away. He was exposed to it to such a degree, that it just went extinct. Now he can watch the needle go into his vein when he goes for a blood test.
I think this illness hampers me as far as social interaction. It's like you almost have to learn how to be social all over again and keep reminding yourself that your imagination can run wild. The subconscious is definitely at play here in some capacity. It's not just emotional. As far as emotions go, I am rather calm and stable, much better than years ago. And my behavior is more even-keeled. I think the anxiety has a lot to do with memory and the subconscious mind.
I think I will try Schisandra and Cordyceps soon. Thanks for your experiences with them.Stay Well.
Lao
Posted by sigismund on September 9, 2010, at 17:35:40
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga, posted by morgan miller on September 7, 2010, at 22:03:53
I felt a real and immediate improvement from cordyceps, but worried (wait for it) that it was aggravating insomnia (which I think it did).
Although I have heard people say it makes them sleepy, so maybe....I dunno.
Reishi is supposed to lower IgE, so maybe it decreases immune reactivity.
Posted by sigismund on September 9, 2010, at 17:37:59
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga, posted by Lao Tzu on September 9, 2010, at 11:08:10
I like the fact that it *seems* to be difficult to go wrong with schisandra (if you have poor liver and mental function?).
I can't really notice it.
It makes a nice tea if you grind up the berries.
Posted by morgan miller on September 9, 2010, at 23:46:12
In reply to Re: Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga, posted by sigismund on September 9, 2010, at 17:35:40
So you don't notice much from Schisandra? How much did you use? Did you use a tincture or capsule? What brand? Sorry, annoying questions..lol
Is there a study on Reishi lowering IgE? Hmm, strange. Reishi has beta-glucans that are supposed to boost the immune system.
Just did a search and couldn't find anything on Reishi lowering IgE.
Morgan
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